The "cooties", if any are left on used shaving brushes, would probably be good for you. Increased diversity of the microbiome.
Speaking of cooties and toothbrushes, the original toothbrush bristles were boar hair. Now that's some nasty sh$! to put in your mouth. I'm thinking of the new brush funk. What would that taste like? Nevermind, I don't want to know.
I've got two vintage brushes that see semi-regular use. Both looked unused when I acquired them. One is an Ever Ready 500PBT (badger), and the other is a William Marvy #2 (boar bristle). I cleaned them both with Dawn anti-bacterial dish soap, and shampoo. They were good to go after that. The Ever Ready is a lather making machine! I love vintage shaving gear!
I prefer boar toothbrushes. Swissco medium bristle to be exact. I've also used the Rooney bone handled toothbrushes as well. Prefer the Swissco. All were new (and new production). If you clean them first, there is no funky taste.
I know how you feel about the cooties, there used to be a game called cooties way back when. I've used several used vintage brushes with no problems except sometimes massive hair shedding. A good wash with Dawn, shampoo and hair conditioner has been enough at least so far to keep the cooties at bay. Having said that I've found absolutely NO advantage(in either lather making or application) to using an old shaving brush knot other than out of curiosity.
Understandable fear but i think washed properly you would have no problem. Im no scientist but i cant see germs lasting decades.
I've got 6 vintage brushes. All I did was shampoo them a few times and started to enjoy them. No problems there. Besides: if vintage brushes can't be sterilized, neither can new ones. Who knows what kind of cooties are to be found on brand new brushes?
^^^This. Besides the current germs badgers are rolling around in these days just think of all the toxins trapped in the fur of a Chinese badger today!
